Combustionless vapor driven engine and its method of operation

ABSTRACT

A steam engine includes at least one piston and cylinder assembly. A fluid injector injects a liquid into the cylinder and onto a heated surface area of a heating element. The heating element may be a plate, coil or other such surface that is heated to a temperature exceeding a flash point of the liquid. As the liquid comes into contact with the heating element it flashes to a vapor causing the internal pressure of the cylinder increase. This increase in internal pressure forces the piston towards an open side or bottom of the cylinder. The piston is coupled to a driven crank shaft via a crank rod. At least one exhaust port is provided for evacuating or draining the fluid from the cylinder.

There are no related patent applications.

This invention did not receive any federal research and development funding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to steam or vapor engines that utilize steam, vapors or the like to drive a piston connected to a crank shaft. The invention is particularly suitable for driving an automobile without creating environmentally damaging exhaust emissions. More particularly, the invention is an engine that includes at least one piston having a powered heat source onto which a fluid in a liquid state is directed to cause the liquid to be converted to a gaseous state to produce a vapor such as steam to drive the piston.

Steam engines are external combustion engines that utilize fuel sources, such as coal, wood, oil or the like, to create a fire within a boiler. Heat generated by the fire converts water to high pressure steam. This high pressure steam is delivered to a piston via a high pressure delivery system. There are many problems are associated with use of high pressure steam. First, any breach of a high pressure steam conduit can cause catastrophic problems which may result in personal injuries, loss of life and destruction of property. Second, many states require periodic inspections of pressure vessels. Since the boiler is a pressure vessel, it must be periodically inspected. Another problem associated with steam engines is weight. Since the boiler is provided separate from the piston and cylinder assembly, the engine require valves and heavy duty piping or conduits to direct the high pressure steam from the boiler to the piston. This adds weight to an automobile which in turn causes more energy to drive the automobile.

To overcome the aforementioned problems associated with using steam engines, most modern automobiles are equipped with an internal combustion engine that utilizes a fuel source such as gasoline or diesel to provide propulsion forces. Some patents have even supplemented an internal combustion engine with a steam propulsion means. It is important to note that none of these have utilized the unique concepts of the present invention to derive an engine that requires neither internal nor external combustion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,749 to Singh appears to disclose a computer controlled six-stroke cycle internal combustion engine and its method of operation. An injector assembly is connected to each of the piston and cylinder assemblies to inject water into the cylinder during a portion of a six-stroke cycle. The injected water gradually converts to steam without first exhausting the ignited air fuel mixture to generate an additional power stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,127 to Helm discloses a one cycle internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle. This reference appears to teach a hybrid engine having pistons for combusting fuel and converting water to steam via the heat created and retained by the combustion cycle. It should be noted that neither of these patents disclose or suggest a combustionless engine as in the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a novel type closed system, single stroke, steam engine that includes at least one piston and cylinder assembly. The engine disclosed herein does not require any combustion to operate a piston. Preferably, the engine comprises a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies that operate in a cyclical manner to drive a crank shaft that may be coupled to a transmission of an automobile. The steam engine further includes a reservoir for storing a fluid source such as water that is supplied to the piston(s) in a liquid form and converted into vapor. The process of converting the fluid from a liquid to gaseous state creates an increased pressure within the cylinder to drive the piston. At least two conduits connect the fluid reservoir to each cylinder for providing fluid in a liquid state to the cylinder and thereafter returning it to the reservoir. An intake conduit supplies fluid to the piston; whilst at least one return conduit directs vapor and unexpanded fluid back to the reservoir.

Each piston includes a supply valve or injector cooperatively connected to an end of the intake conduit. Preferably, the supply valve or injector is arranged near the top of the cylinder such that gravity facilitates movement of the fluid through the cylinder. A return valve is connected to the return conduit within a sidewall of the cylinder. Preferably, the return valve is arranged at a lower elevation than the fluid injector along a sidewall of the cylinder than the supply valve to assure adequate drainage of any liquid fluid as well gaseous fluid.

A heating element is provided near a top of the cylinder between it and the piston head and arranged such that liquid from the supply valve passes across the heating element. The heating element may be powered by an external power source such as a battery or the like. The heating element may utilize resistive heating, inductive heating, or a combination of resistive or inductive heating. During operation, the temperature of the heating element is high enough to cause the liquid to “flash” to a vapor or gaseous state. Expansion of the liquid is realized as it flashes to a gaseous state. This expansion increases the pressure within the cylinder causing the piston to be forced away from the top of the cylinder which in turn drives the connecting rod that connects to the crank shaft. In the preferred embodiment, water is injected into the cylinder once the heating element has reached a temperature sufficient to enable a generally complete conversion to steam. The water is injected through an injector wherein the heat generated by the heating element causes the water to rapidly and expansively convert into steam thereby driving the piston away from the injector and heating element.

In a further embodiment, the invention may comprise a cylinder having heat transfer properties that conduct heat from an exterior heated surface of the cylinder to a particular region within the cylinder where the liquid fluid is directed to be converted into vapor to operate in the manner mentioned above. Alternatively, the wall of the cylinder may include an electrically operated heating element that raises a surface temperature of the cylinder wall to above a flashing point. Various types of heating may be used to cause the liquid to be converted to vapor. Some of these types of heating may include radiation, conduction, convection, or a combination of these methods. Thus, a vapor or steam engine of the present invention comprises a closed loop system that continuously re-circulates fluid from a reservoir through the piston and back again.

It is an object of the invention to provide a steam or vapor engine that includes at least one piston and cylinder assembly and having a heating element for causing a fluid supplied to an interior of the cylinder to be flashed from a liquid to a vapor.

It is another object of the invention to provide a steam or vapor engine that does not require air and does not emit harmful exhaust fumes into the environment.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a steam or vapor engine for driving a drive train of an automobile. The engine includes a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies. Each piston and cylinder assembly has a heating element for causing a fluid supplied to an interior of the cylinder to be flashed from a liquid to a vapor. Each piston is connected to a crankshaft via a connecting rod for causing the crankshaft to be rotated.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an engine comprising a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies. Each cylinder includes a fluid injector for injecting a fluid onto a heating element. The heating element comprises a plate, coil or the like and being supplied with electrical power. The heating element is heated to a temperature above a flash point of the fluid. When the fluid, which is in a liquid state, is injected onto the heating element, the fluid flashes to a gas causing the internal pressure of the cylinder to increase. The resulting increased pressure causes the piston to be pushed away from the top of the cylinder to drive a crankshaft. Alternatively, a region of the cylinder wall may be heated via an electric heating element to raise the surface temperature of the cylinder wall to at least a flash point of the liquid supplied to the piston. The temperature is preferably between 300-350° F., if the liquid being supplied to the cylinder is water.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method and system for teaching a novel type of engine that utilizes a flashing technique of a liquid to a gas to drive a piston in an engine.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the included claims when taken in connection with the previous discussion and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of various operative components of a steam engine according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A through 2E consecutively represent successive actions occurring in a piston and cylinder assembly during a cycle of operation for a first embodiment.

FIGS. 3A through 3E consecutively represent successive actions occurring in a piston and cylinder assembly during a cycle of operation for a first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 represents an engine 1 that is realized by utilizing the piston and cylinder arrangement of the instant invention. Two piston and cylinder assemblies are shown and arranged such that both connect to a crankshaft 16. It can be recognized by the skilled artisan that additional piston and cylinder assemblies may be arranged to connect to the crankshaft to provide additional power for driving the crankshaft. It should also be realized that the engine block, drive train and associated parts are not shown for ease in understanding the invention.

Each piston and cylinder assembly includes an injector 22 that injects the fluid 18, in a liquid state, onto a heating element 21. The heating element 21 may be shaped in a variety of shapes including but not limited to a cone shape, a plate, or a coil. In FIG. 1 each cylinder 11 includes two return valves 24, 25 provided for re-circulating fluid from the cylinder 11 back to the fluid reservoir 17 through a re-circulating conduit 26. The gaseous fluid is then allowed to cool and return to a fluid state for reuse. Valve 24 is arranged to open when the piston 10 reaches the bottom of the cylinder 11 and thereafter closes as the piston 10 begins to move upward. Valve 25 opens when piston 10 reaches the bottom of the cylinder 11 and remains open until piston 10 reaches top dead center. The fluid 18 is returned to the reservoir 17 and circulated back into the cylinder 11 to be flashed to a gaseous state in successive operation cycles.

The fluid reservoir is preferably sealed to maintain the fluid in both liquid and gaseous state and may be provided under pressure. Each re-circulating conduit 26 comprises preferably comprises a rigid tubular material or flexible hosing. Likewise, supply conduits 23 preferably comprise a tubular material or flexible hosing and connect to the injectors 22. Injectors 22, as well as piston 10 and cylinder 11 may comprise a known type of assembly currently in use. Power source 20 connects to heating element 21 via conductor 27 and may comprise a battery for initially heating the heating element 21 as well as a known automobile electrical supply system that includes either an alternator or generator connected to the crankshaft for producing electrical energy. A portion of the electrical energy is utilized to recharge the battery; whilst another portion is used to power the heating element 21 in successive engine cycles.

FIGS. 2A through 2E represent successive actions occurring in a piston and cylinder assembly during a cycle of operation for a first embodiment. In FIG. 2A, the piston is located in an upper region of the cylinder. The heating element 21 extends through a sidewall 13 of the cylinder 11 and into the cylinder bore 12. The element 21 is arranged between the top of the cylinder 14 and the piston head 10A. A gap is provided between the cylinder top 14 and the piston head 10A. A fluid injector 22 penetrates the cylinder top 14 and is preferably arranged directly above the heating element 21 to ensure that most, preferably all, of the fluid 18 injected into the cylinder comes in contact with the heated surface of the heating element 21. The heating element 21 is heated to a temperature that exceeds the flashing point of the injected liquid.

In FIG. 2B, a fluid 18 in liquid state is injected or directed through the injector 22 and onto the heated surface of the heating element 21. This liquid is converted into a vapor or steam 19 in FIG. 2C. The expansion of this vapor is shown in FIG. 2D causing the piston 10 to be driven downwards and away from the top of the cylinder 14. The cylinder 11 is coupled to a crankshaft 16 via a connecting rod 15. The upper and lower return valves 24, 25 are opened as the piston 10 reaches an absolute bottom range of motion, (bottom dead center) in the cylinder to allow unexpanded liquid and a portion of the gaseous fluid to be evacuated for the cylinder bore 12. In FIG. 2E, the piston 10 has begun an upward direction of motion and an upper return valve 24 is maintained in open position until the piston 10 reaches its absolute upper range of motion (top dead center) to allow any gaseous fluid to be further expelled from the cylinder bore 12.

FIGS. 3A through 3E consecutively represent successive actions occurring in a piston and cylinder assembly during a cycle of operation for an additional embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, an electrical heating source 32, such as a heating element, is provided on an exterior region of the cylinder 11 for heating a portion of the interior sidewall. Heat is transferred from outside the cylinder 11 through a region of the sidewall. Liquid fluid 18 is injected against this heated region 35 of the sidewall to create a vapor 19.

In FIG. 3A, an exterior heating element 32 connects to a power source via conductor 27 to create heat which is transferred to an exterior portion of cylinder sidewall 13. This heat passes through the sidewall 13 and into the interior region 35 of the cylinder sidewall 13. Liquid 18 is then directed onto this heated region 35 and expanded to create a vapor 19 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In FIGS. 3D and 3E, the piston and cylinder assembly operates as mention above. It should be noted that in this embodiment only one return valve 25 is shown near the bottom of the cylinder sidewall 13.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A combustionless steam engine comprising: a power source for supplying electrical energy; at least one cylinder having a sidewall, a closed end and an opening; at least one piston having a head and being reciprocally mounted within the cylinder, said piston further including a connecting rod that passes through the opening of the cylinder and is connected to a crankshaft; a heating element mounted near the cylinder and connected to the power source, for causing a fluid to be flashed into a vapor; an expandable fluid that may be flashed from a liquid state to a gaseous state; a fluid reservoir for storing the fluid separate from the cylinder; a fluid injector passing through a portion of the cylinder for injecting fluid into the cylinder; a conduit connected between the fluid reservoir and the fluid injector for carrying fluid from the fluid reservoir to the fluid injector; and, an exhaust valve being connected to said fluid reservoir for passing vapor and fluid from an interior area of the cylinder to the fluid reservoir.
 2. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 3. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 further comprising an additional exhaust valve arranged near the closed end of the cylinder.
 4. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 wherein said fluid is water.
 5. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 wherein the heating element is mounted within the cylinder sidewall.
 6. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 wherein the heating element is mounted on an exterior surface of the cylinder sidewall.
 7. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 wherein the exhaust valve is arranged near the closed end of the cylinder.
 8. The combustionless steam engine of claim 1 wherein the exhaust valve is arranged near the open end of the cylinder.
 9. A combustionless steam engine comprising: a power source for supplying electrical energy; at least one cylinder having a sidewall, a closed end and an opening; at least one piston having a head and being reciprocally mounted within the cylinder, said piston further including a connecting rod that passes through the opening of the cylinder and is connected to a crankshaft; a heating element mounted near the cylinder and connected to the power source, for causing a liquid fluid to be flashed into a vapor; a fluid that may be flashed from a liquid state to a gaseous state; a fluid reservoir for storing the fluid separate from the cylinder; a fluid injector passing through a portion of the cylinder for injecting the fluid in the liquid state into the cylinder; a conduit connected between the fluid reservoir and the fluid injector for carrying fluid in the liquid state from the fluid reservoir to the fluid injector; a first exhaust valve arranged near the closed end of the cylinder and being connected to said fluid reservoir for passing fluid in the liquid and gaseous states from an interior area of the cylinder to the fluid reservoir; and, a second exhaust valve arranged near the opening of the cylinder and being connected to said fluid reservoir for passing fluid in the liquid and gaseous state from an interior area of the cylinder to the fluid reservoir.
 10. The combustionless steam engine of claim 9 wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 11. The combustionless steam engine of claim 9 wherein said fluid is water.
 12. The combustionless steam engine of claim 9 wherein the heating element is mounted within the cylinder sidewall.
 13. The combustionless steam engine of claim 9 wherein the heating element is mounted on an exterior surface of the cylinder sidewall.
 14. A combustionless steam engine comprising: a power source for supplying electrical energy; at least one cylinder having a sidewall, a closed end and an opening; at least one piston having a head and being reciprocally mounted within the cylinder, said piston further including a connecting rod that passes through the opening of the cylinder and is connected to a crankshaft; water; a heating element mounted near the cylinder and connected to the power source, for causing the water to be flashed into steam; a water reservoir for storing the water separate from the cylinder; a water injector passing through a portion of the cylinder for injecting water into the cylinder; a conduit connected between the water reservoir and the water injector for carrying water from the water reservoir to the water injector; and, an exhaust valve being connected to said water reservoir for passing steam and water from an interior area of the cylinder to the water reservoir.
 15. The combustionless steam engine of claim 14 wherein the power source comprises a battery.
 16. The combustionless steam engine of claim 14 wherein the heating element is mounted within the cylinder sidewall.
 17. The combustionless steam engine of claim 14 wherein the heating element is mounted on an exterior surface of the cylinder sidewall. 